The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, commonly known as UNICRI is a UN entity formed in 1967. It's mission is to assist intergovernmental, governmental and nongovernmental organizations in their efforts to formulate and implement improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice administration.
Current elected members are:
In 1974 the UNICRI began publishing the World Directory of Criminological Institutes on a 4 year basis.
IN the 1990's UNICRI, adhering to the priorities set by the UN Crime Congresses and the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice expanded its focus to crimes, corruption, and treatment of mentally-ill offenders.
On May 1,2005 UNICRI moved its headquarters to its current location Turin, Northern Italy.
Today UNICRI is still looked upon to provide policies and innovative solutions problems of criminal policy, such as security (including prevention of terrorism), trafficking of persons and reduction in slavery, construction of justice systems in conflict and post-conflict areas.
In 2002 UNICRI launched, in co-operation with the European Police Office (EUROPOL), the programme "International Permanent Observatory on Security Measures during Major Events (IPO)."
The Observatory focuses on different aspects of security in relation to three main categories of major events: sporting events, high-level political/religious/economic summits and mass events such as national or religious festivals.
IPO activities are developed in consultation with an Advisory Committee, which consists of a group of internationally recognised experts in the field of security during major events. IPO strives to:
Institut interrégional de recherche des Nations unies sur la criminalité et la justice